[OVERVIEW]
Dugtrio is the fastest Pokemon in the tier aside from very niche Aerodactyl and Electrode. Thanks to its ground typing it can't be paralysed by Thunder Wave which is the most reliable and common method of paralysing. 80 attack is kind a mediocre, but good enough to deal with Pokemon who are weak to ground type and to serve as a revenge killer/finisher/late game sweeper.
[SET]
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Rock Slide
move 3: Substitute/Slash
move 4: Toxic/Sand Attack
[SET COMMENTS]
Earthquake is Dugtrios strongest and most important move. It 2HKOs Pokemon that are weak to it as well as Kadabra and opposing Dugrio. Rock Slide gives nice coverage, especially against Legendary Birds that are 4x weak to it, although it's still only a 2HKO (keep in mind 10% chance of missing). Substitute can give you an extra turn provided you correctly predict that opponent will switch and you aren't sure whether they will use a flying-type Pokemon. It's especially useful in the early stage of the game to scout what counters for Duggy your opponent brings. Slash provides the most consistent damage, dealing almost as much dmg as neutral Earthquake or 2x super effective Rock Slide. Because it always crits it's also the best way to deal with any potential reflect users. Status moves gives you an option against bulky Pokemon that can switch-in on Dugtrio relatively easy no matter what attacking move you choose. Toxic is excellent against Dragonite which otherwise can relatively safely switch-in and set up Agility on Dugtrio because even super effective Rock Slide doesn’t threaten it. Poisoned Dragonite won’t wrap for long. Sand Attack is more general in use since it will also work on poison-types and Rest users. However this strategy is much more RNG-based and unfortunately accuracy drops wears out after switching.
[USAGE TIPS]
Most of the time Dugtrio is a hit and run Pokemon. It's brilliant in finishing off foes and revenge killing. Ideally you only use it when opposing Pokemon is within KO range. However it can also switch freely into electric type moves that threaten your water and flying types. It’s an excellent way to gain some momentum and deal some noticeable damage or prepare for a switch and set up a substitute. Keep in mind that it doesn’t protect from getting statused.
Remember that Dugtrio has a horrible bulk; it takes quite a bit of damage from neutral moves and almost all super effective ones OHKO it straight away. If you want to be able to set up substitute with it, you need to keep it healthy.
[OTHER OPTIONS]
All the other moves that Dugtrio can learn in this generation are either uncompetitive or banned in standard formats due to clauses (ie Dig, Fissure, Double Team).
[CHECKS & COUNTERS]
Tangela is the best counter to Dugtrio, albeit it’s a niche pick. With is excellent physical bulk and ground resistance it can take Dugtrios moves all day and paralyse it with Stun Spore. It won’t do much damage outright (Mega Drain is only a 3HKO) but a paralysed Dugtrio is nothing more than a dead weight.
Other Grass-Types can either OHKO Dugtrio with Razor Leaf or status but they lack the ability to take hits from Dugtrio like Tangela due to their secondary poison typing.
Vaporeon also doesn’t mind switching in on any of Dugtrios attacks and can OHKO it with Surf. Rest take care of any damage or status received. Golduck and Poliwrath are slightly less bulkier and fail to OHKO right away but can relatively safely set up on Dugtrio with Amnesia. When boosted they can pose a serious threat to your entire team, especially when your Tentacruel is out.
Gyarados and Dodrio can switch in freely on Earthquake and Rock Slide doesn’t bother them that much while they can threaten Duggy to OHKO it with their STAB moves: Surf/Hydro Pump from Gyara and Hyper Beam from Dodrio. Defensively Dragonite is similar to them but it cannot OHKO right away. But unless you status it Nite will have an easy time setting up Agility and Wrapping your team to death.
Articuno and Omastar, although get 2HKO by super effective moves, can OHKO Dugtrio in return and replenish any lost HP with Rest. Using them to counter Duggy requires good prediction and some luck though (crits!). Not to mention it is unlikely to see Dugtrio stay in.
PS. Added Golduck and Poli to CC.
Dugtrio is the fastest Pokemon in the tier aside from very niche Aerodactyl and Electrode. Thanks to its ground typing it can't be paralysed by Thunder Wave which is the most reliable and common method of paralysing. 80 attack is kind a mediocre, but good enough to deal with Pokemon who are weak to ground type and to serve as a revenge killer/finisher/late game sweeper.
[SET]
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Rock Slide
move 3: Substitute/Slash
move 4: Toxic/Sand Attack
[SET COMMENTS]
Earthquake is Dugtrios strongest and most important move. It 2HKOs Pokemon that are weak to it as well as Kadabra and opposing Dugrio. Rock Slide gives nice coverage, especially against Legendary Birds that are 4x weak to it, although it's still only a 2HKO (keep in mind 10% chance of missing). Substitute can give you an extra turn provided you correctly predict that opponent will switch and you aren't sure whether they will use a flying-type Pokemon. It's especially useful in the early stage of the game to scout what counters for Duggy your opponent brings. Slash provides the most consistent damage, dealing almost as much dmg as neutral Earthquake or 2x super effective Rock Slide. Because it always crits it's also the best way to deal with any potential reflect users. Status moves gives you an option against bulky Pokemon that can switch-in on Dugtrio relatively easy no matter what attacking move you choose. Toxic is excellent against Dragonite which otherwise can relatively safely switch-in and set up Agility on Dugtrio because even super effective Rock Slide doesn’t threaten it. Poisoned Dragonite won’t wrap for long. Sand Attack is more general in use since it will also work on poison-types and Rest users. However this strategy is much more RNG-based and unfortunately accuracy drops wears out after switching.
[USAGE TIPS]
Most of the time Dugtrio is a hit and run Pokemon. It's brilliant in finishing off foes and revenge killing. Ideally you only use it when opposing Pokemon is within KO range. However it can also switch freely into electric type moves that threaten your water and flying types. It’s an excellent way to gain some momentum and deal some noticeable damage or prepare for a switch and set up a substitute. Keep in mind that it doesn’t protect from getting statused.
Remember that Dugtrio has a horrible bulk; it takes quite a bit of damage from neutral moves and almost all super effective ones OHKO it straight away. If you want to be able to set up substitute with it, you need to keep it healthy.
[OTHER OPTIONS]
All the other moves that Dugtrio can learn in this generation are either uncompetitive or banned in standard formats due to clauses (ie Dig, Fissure, Double Team).
[CHECKS & COUNTERS]
Tangela is the best counter to Dugtrio, albeit it’s a niche pick. With is excellent physical bulk and ground resistance it can take Dugtrios moves all day and paralyse it with Stun Spore. It won’t do much damage outright (Mega Drain is only a 3HKO) but a paralysed Dugtrio is nothing more than a dead weight.
Other Grass-Types can either OHKO Dugtrio with Razor Leaf or status but they lack the ability to take hits from Dugtrio like Tangela due to their secondary poison typing.
Vaporeon also doesn’t mind switching in on any of Dugtrios attacks and can OHKO it with Surf. Rest take care of any damage or status received. Golduck and Poliwrath are slightly less bulkier and fail to OHKO right away but can relatively safely set up on Dugtrio with Amnesia. When boosted they can pose a serious threat to your entire team, especially when your Tentacruel is out.
Gyarados and Dodrio can switch in freely on Earthquake and Rock Slide doesn’t bother them that much while they can threaten Duggy to OHKO it with their STAB moves: Surf/Hydro Pump from Gyara and Hyper Beam from Dodrio. Defensively Dragonite is similar to them but it cannot OHKO right away. But unless you status it Nite will have an easy time setting up Agility and Wrapping your team to death.
Articuno and Omastar, although get 2HKO by super effective moves, can OHKO Dugtrio in return and replenish any lost HP with Rest. Using them to counter Duggy requires good prediction and some luck though (crits!). Not to mention it is unlikely to see Dugtrio stay in.
PS. Added Golduck and Poli to CC.
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